Another practice I practice..... as an example when laying out a top plate with step laps, the rafters are 6", there is a 6" step lap on the end of the rafter. I will lay out the tape and mark 6", representing the inside edge of the first rafter seat. I come back to lay out with the square and finish describing the end of the plate. This way I don't confuse the 1" or 10" zero is zero. Many times when I recheck layout I am looking for just such numbers to burn, it may be 1" or 1-1/2, 4, whatever a known short measurement may be. There usually is something there, a mortice end, housing, 2" of relish.
